Victim was Thomas Dooley, in his 40s.
A County Kerry man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court charged with the murder of his brother.
Patrick Dooley, 35, appeared at Kenmare District Court in Kerry today (Fri).
He is charged with the murder of his brother Tommy Dooley, in his 40s, who died after he was attacked at a funeral in Tralee on Wednesday morning at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee. Tommy Dooley’s wife, Siobhan, was injured in the incident.
Patrick Dooley, with an address at Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry appeared in front of Judge Dave Waters today.
Detective Garda Mark O’Sullivan of Tralee Garda Station told the court Patrick Dooley was charged with his brother’s murder.
The Detective Sergeant said that when the charge was put to him, Patrick Dooley replied: “I didn’t harm my brother at all in any way. That is all I have to say.”
Dooley, a married father of one, was remanded in custody to appear
before Tralee District Court by video-link next Wednesday.
Dooley was granted legal aid when his solicitor told the court he is carer for his wife and child.
Tommy Dooley was in his 40s when he died after he was attacked at the funeral of a family friend on Wednesday. Tommy’s wife Siobhan was also wounded in the incident, but was later discharged from hospital.
The incident took place at Rath Cemetery, Rathass in Tralee yesterday (Wed) morning.
Large crowds from outside the town are understood to have attended the funeral, held for a woman who died suddenly on Monday.
The suspect was detained Cork in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday) and taken to Tralee garda station.
On Wednesday morning Dooley was pronounced dead at the cemetery in Rathass.
His body was taken to University Hospital Kerry.
Mr Dooley’s wife, also in her 40s, suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was treated in hospital.
A post-mortem examination on Mr Dooley was conducted by Ireland’s state pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis at University Hospital Kerry yesterday (the).
“This type of incident is shocking at any time or anywhere, but obviously the fact that this has happened in the town’s graveyard adds another level to that.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and for anyone with camera footage to make it available.
Those with information are asked to contact Tralee garda station on 066 710 2300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The Mayor of Tralee, Mikey Sheehy, said:
“Rath graveyard is the biggest graveyard in Tralee, it’s a place where people go to reflect, it’s where people go to walk, it’s a place where people go to visit a loved one who has passed away.
“So, the fact that such a violent act has taken place here is disturbing and extremely shocking to say the least.”
Tralee councillor Cathal Foley said it was “horrendous and barbaric” that someone had lost their life at a funeral.
“People here have great affection for the graveyard, and there’s great respect for funerals,” he said.
